Crown Forestry Rental Trust

Crown Forestry Rental Trust

Lawyer Donna Hall was introduced on RadioNZ's Mana News tonight as representing 'Maori Appointees to the Trust'.

Ms Hall does not represent Maori Appointees to the Board of Trustees of CFRT. Furthermore, she has no current relationship with the Trust and has not been employed by or received any payment from the Trust for some time.

Although she was interviewed regarding today's Privy Council decision, Ms Hall was not engaged by the Trust in the appeals against the High Court and Court of Appeal decisions.

The Trust was very pleased with the successful appeal to the Privy Council, in which the Trust's status as a charitable trust was upheld, with the effect that it is exempt from paying income tax for the past and future. Over $40 million in the tax that the Trust has paid since the dispute arose should be returned to it shortly.

The Trust's legal advisors in the appeal were Buddle Findlay and Lindsay McKay QC.

The Trustees did not authorise Ms Hall to speak on behalf of any Trustee or the Trust on this matter or any other concerning CFRT.

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